In light of recent events, I have spent a tremendous amount of time considering recommendations for increasing law enforcement transparency and accountability in our county. As Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, I want to assure you that I am personally reviewing every policy recommendation that my office receives. In addition we have also created a matrix that houses every policy reform recommendation submitted so that any change that we adopt accurately reflects the concerns of our residents and community advocates.
If you have any recommendations you would like us to add to our matrix for consideration please send them via email to
leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov
Early last week I communicated my personal position, so far, on some of the policy reforms I plan to advocate for:
1.We must find a way to share more data as it relates to law enforcement activities within our community.
2. It is time to reassess our police department’s presence in our public schools. I believe the value that the police offer to our students in terms of safety and community relations could be achieved without a permanent police presence within our schools.
3. We must initiate a review of both our police department’s use of force policy, as well as it’s training programs as a whole. This will require institutional buy in from our police force, and a willingness on the part of the public to be a part of the relationship building necessary to eliminate the racial disparities in our county’s criminal justice system.
I want to be clear these are not the only policies that I am reviewing. I will continue to dedicate myself to being as transparent as possible over the course of this process, and will provide further updates as I am able.
June 16 Full Public Safety Committee Meeting Below:
